Highly regarded from the beginning of his racing career, Pulpit showed marked ability but did not last long enough as a racehorse to reach his full potential as he suffered a career-ending injury in his final start, the 1997 Kentucky Derby (USA-I). The beautifully bred horse did well as a stallion at Claiborne Farm and begot a stallion better than himself in three-time American champion sire Tapit, securing the male line of Seattle Slew and A.P. Indy well into the 21stcentury.

Race record

6starts, 4wins, 1second, 0third, US$728,200

1997:

Won Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (USA-II, 9FD, Keeneland)

Won Fountain of Youth Stakes (USA-II, 8.5FD, Gulfstream Park)

2nd Florida Derby (USA-I, 9FD, Gulfstream Park)

As an individual

A well-balanced, heavily built bay, Pulpithad an excellent shoulder and the strong hindquarters and hind leg typical of his maternal grandsire, Mr. Prospector. He developed the dipped topline typical of the Seattle Slew male line as he matured. He had a long stride when racing.

Foaled in Kentucky, Pulpit was bred and owned by Claiborne Farm. He was trained by Frank Brothers. He entered stud at Claiborne in 1998. He died in December 2012 due to the effects of a blood clot and was buried at the farm.

Pedigree notes

Pulpit is inbred 5x4x5 to 1957 American Horse of the Year and eight-time American champion sire Bold Ruler. He is also inbred 5x5 to Bold Ruler's sire Nasrullah, himself a five-time American champion sire, and 5x5 to the excellent stayer Princequillo, a two-time American champion sire and eight-time American champion broodmare sire. Pulpit is a half brother to stakes-placed Tell It (by Storm Cat), dam of stakes winner Dream Nettie (by Dixie Union), and to Convent (by A.P. Indy), dam of restricted stakes winner Nunnery (by Forest Wildcat; dam of Grade III-placed stakes winner Nun the Less, by Candy Ride). He is also a half brother to Orate (by A.P. Indy), dam of Grade I-placed restricted stakes winner Endless Chatter (by First Samurai).

Pulpit's dam Preach won the 1991 Frizette Stakes (USA-I). She is a full sister to Yarn, dam of 2000 English and Irish champion 2-year-old male Minardi (by Boundary), Grade II winner and successful sire Tale of the Cat (by Storm Cat) and restricted stakes winner Spunoutacontrol (by Wild Again). Yarn is also the second dam of 2001 European and American champion 2-year-old male Johannesburg and mutiple Grade II winner Fed Biz and the third dam of 2016 Vosburgh Handicap (USA-I) winner Joking, Grade II winner Stanford and Grade III winner Untrapped.